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Abstract:

A method and apparatus for generating electronic training jackets is
disclosed. The method may include receiving a request from a user to
generate an electronic training jacket for an individual, retrieving
qualification information for the individual from at least one of one or
more remote qualification databases and one or more local qualification
databases, generating the electronic training jacket from the retrieved
qualification information, and automatically outputting the generated
electronic training jacket to the user using an output device. The
qualification information may be aviation-related and shipboard-related
qualification information and the aviation-related and the
shipboard-related qualification information may include at least one of
medical qualification information, job training qualification
information, and education information.

Claims:

1. A method for generating electronic training jackets, comprising:
receiving a request from a user to generate an electronic training jacket
for an individual; retrieving qualification information for the
individual from at least one of one or more remote qualification
databases and one or more local qualification databases, wherein the
qualification information is one of aviation-related and
shipboard-related qualification information and the aviation-related and
the shipboard-related qualification information include at least one of
medical qualification information, job training qualification
information, and education information; generating the electronic
training jacket from the retrieved qualification information; and
automatically outputting the generated electronic training jacket to the
user using an output device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: retrieving one or more
qualifications requirements; comparing the retrieved qualification
requirements to the retrieved qualification information for the
individual; identifying any deficiency between the retrieved
qualification requirements and the retrieved qualification information
for the individual; and outputting any identified deficiency to the user,
otherwise if no deficiency is identified, then indicating to the user
that the individual has met the retrieved qualification requirements.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: sending a request to
schedule training for the individual based on an identified deficiency.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the electronic
training jacket in a memory.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: receiving a request to
archive an electronic training jacket; retrieving the electronic training
jacket from the memory; and sending the electronic training jacket to an
archive facility through a communication interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic training jackets are
generated using one of a server, a computer, a processing device, and a
personal digital assistant.

8. An apparatus that generates electronic training jackets, comprising: a
memory; one or more output devices; a communication interface; and an
electronic training jacket generator that receives a request from a user
to generate an electronic training jacket for an individual, retrieves
qualification information for the individual from at least one of one or
more remote qualification databases through the communication interface
and one or more local qualification databases stored in the memory,
generates the electronic training jacket from the retrieved qualification
information, and automatically outputs the generated electronic training
jacket to the user using the output device, wherein the qualification
information is one of aviation-related and shipboard-related
qualification information and the aviation-related and the
shipboard-related qualification information include at least one of
medical qualification information, job training qualification
information, and education information.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electronic training jacket
generator retrieves one or more qualifications requirements, compares the
retrieved qualification requirements to the retrieved qualification
information for the individual, identifies any deficiency between the
retrieved qualification requirements and the retrieved qualification
information for the individual, and output any identified deficiency to
the user, otherwise if no deficiency is identified, then the electronic
training jacket generator indicates to the user that the individual has
met the retrieved qualification requirements.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the electronic training jacket
generator sends a request to schedule training for the individual based
on an identified deficiency through the communication interface.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electronic training jacket
generator stores the electronic training jacket in the memory.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electronic training jacket
generator receives a request to archive an electronic training jacket,
retrieves the electronic training jacket from the memory, and sends the
electronic training jacket to an archive facility through the
communication interface.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the electronic training jackets are
generated using one of a server, a computer, a processing device, and a
personal digital assistant.

15. A computer-readable medium storing instructions for controlling a
computing device for generating electronic training jackets, the
instructions comprising: receiving a request from a user to generate an
electronic training jacket for an individual; retrieving qualification
information for the individual from at least one of one or more remote
qualification databases and one or more local qualification databases,
wherein the qualification information is one of aviation-related and
shipboard-related qualification information and the aviation-related and
the shipboard-related qualification information include at least one of
medical qualification information, job training qualification
information, and education information; generating the electronic
training jacket from the retrieved qualification information; and
automatically outputting the generated electronic training jacket to the
user using an output device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising:
retrieving one or more qualifications requirements; comparing the
retrieved qualification requirements to the retrieved qualification
information for the individual; identifying any deficiency between the
retrieved qualification requirements and the retrieved qualification
information for the individual; and outputting any identified deficiency
to the user, otherwise if no deficiency is identified, then indicating to
the user that the individual has met the retrieved qualification
requirements.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16, further comprising: sending
a request to schedule training for the individual based on an identified
deficiency.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising: storing
the electronic training jacket in a memory.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, further comprising:
receiving a request to archive an electronic training jacket; retrieving
the electronic training jacket from the memory; and sending the
electronic training jacket to an archive facility through a communication
interface.

21. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the electronic
training jackets are generated using one of a server, a computer, a
processing device, and a personal digital assistant.

Description:

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosed embodiments

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to the generation of electronic
training jackets.

[0003] 2. Introduction

[0004] Currently, all aviation-related and shipboard-related activities,
including the Air Transport Association (ATA), U.S. Armed Forces, Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), Air Traffic Control (ATC), and foreign
services, use paper training records to annotate training progress,
qualification, and time spent in-position. Often, an individual must meet
qualifications within a certain time period to continue working in their
position. Keeping the current paper training jacket updated is extremely
time consuming and costly endeavor. However, there are currently no
electronic training jacket systems that automatically retrieve or track
qualification, training, education medical, and other job-related
requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] A method and apparatus for generating electronic training jackets
is disclosed. The method may include receiving a request from a user to
generate an electronic training jacket for an individual, retrieving
qualification information for the individual from at least one of one or
more remote qualification databases and one or more local qualification
databases, generating the electronic training jacket from the retrieved
qualification information, and automatically outputting the generated
electronic training jacket to the user using an output device. The
qualification information may be aviation-related and shipboard-related
qualification information and the aviation-related and the
shipboard-related qualification information may include at least one of
medical qualification information, job training qualification
information, and education information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and
other advantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a more
particular description of the disclosure briefly described above will be
rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are
illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings
depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore
to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be
described and explained with additional specificity and detail through
the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 is diagram of an exemplary electronic training jacket
generation environment in accordance with a possible embodiment of the
disclosure;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic training
jacket generation unit in accordance with a possible embodiment of the
disclosure;

[0009]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating one possible
electronic training jacket generation process in accordance with one
possible embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0010]FIG. 4 is an exemplary electronic training jacket in accordance
with a possible embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments
will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
disclosed embodiments. The features and advantages of the disclosed
embodiments may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and
other features of the present disclosed embodiments will become more
fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may
be learned by the practice of the disclosed embodiments as set forth
herein.

[0012] Various embodiments of the disclosed embodiments are discussed in
detail below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be
understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person
skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and
configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of
the disclosed embodiments.

[0013] The disclosed embodiments comprise a variety of embodiments, such
as a method and apparatus and other embodiments that relate to the basic
concepts of the disclosed embodiments. Note that while this disclosure
discusses aircraft-related and shipboard-related uses for the disclosed
embodiments, the disclosed embodiments by no means are limited to that
technology area and may be applied to a wide variety of environments and
uses.

[0014] The disclosed embodiments may concern an electronic training jacket
generation process may allow aviation-related and shipboard-related
activities the opportunity to spend more time in different branches of
the facility due to the reduction it takes to update facility training.
An electronic training jacket generation may include a database that
tracks individual controllers going through the training process at
aviation-related and shipboard-related facilities. The process may
annotate hours, keeps track of certifications, medical clearances while
also providing a career history summary for each controller under a
facility or entire organization's umbrella.

[0015] Since the electronic training jackets may be in a web-based or
network-based database, an organization's management team may keep track
of the progress of training at each facility under their jurisdiction. In
addition, an organization may have the ability to complete training
quality assurance and safety checks by accessing electronic training
jacket generation for specific facilities on the web. The electronic
training jacket generation process may provide a user-based access
control which may allow only certain people to modify individual's
electronic training jackets while enabling management to view each
individual member or activity's training program's progress.

[0016] In this manner, the disclosed embodiments may permit electronic
training jacket generation to be a simple, managed activity and provide
users of electronic devices with current up-to-date electronic training
jackets on their device, such as a portable and/or fixed computing
devices including desktop and laptop and other portable computers, to
electronic paper (epaper) based document reader devices and other
communications enabled display capable devices such as personal digital
assistants (PDAs), ultra mobile personal computers (UMPCs) and netbooks.

[0017] FIG. 1 is diagram of an exemplary electronic training jacket
generation environment 100 in accordance with a possible embodiment of
the disclosure. The electronic training jacket generation environment 100
may include one or more remote qualification servers 120 and an
electronic training jacket generation unit 140 which may be connected
through the communications network 110. The one or more remote
qualification servers 120 may include or have access to one or more
remote qualification databases 130. The electronic training jacket
generation unit 140 may include or have access to one or more local
qualification databases 150 and be connected to one or more local
qualification server s160. The one or more local qualification servers
160 may also have access to the one or more local qualification databases
150 and may communicate directly with the electronic training jacket
generation unit 140, for example. Although some of the connections in
FIG. 1 are shown as wireless and others as wired configurations, any of
these connections may wired or wireless in accordance with techniques
known to those of skill in the art.

[0018] Communications network 110 may represent any communications network
used to communicate with other entities, including the Internet, an
intranet, a radio network, a wireless network, etc. The electronic
training jacket generation unit 140, the one or more local qualification
servers 160, and the one or more remote qualification servers 120 may be
any server, computer, processing device, personal digital assistant
(PDA), or other similar device capable of storing, managing and
presenting electronic qualification information.

[0019] The one or more local qualification databases 150 and the one or
more remote qualification databases 130 may be any database stored in a
memory that contains qualification information. The qualification
information may be aviation-related and shipboard-related qualification
information. The aviation-related and the shipboard-related qualification
information may include at least one of medical qualification
information, job training qualification information, education
information, etc., for example.

[0022] In one possible embodiment, the qualification information may be
aviation-related or shipboard-related, for example. However, the
qualification information for the disclosed embodiments is not limited to
a particular area and may be any possible documents/messages known to one
of skill in the art and may include qualification information for any job
that may require tracking of qualifications, such as trains/subways,
police, fire, rescue, medical, nuclear power, package shipping,
environmental, etc.

[0023] The one or more local qualification servers 160, and the one or
more remote qualification servers 120 may populate the respective one or
more local qualification databases 150 and one or more remote
qualification databases 130 with individuals' and units' qualification
information. The electronic training jacket generation unit 140 may
receive qualification information on an individual from one or more local
qualification databases 150 and/or one or more remote qualification
databases 130 in order to generate an electronic training jacket. The
electronic training jacket may be generated by a user have authorization
or it may be generated by a user for his or her own purposes (with
special authorizations, if necessary).

[0025] Processor 220 may include at least one conventional processor or
microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions. Memory 230 may
be a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device
that stores information and instructions for execution by processor 220.
Memory 230 may also store temporary variables or other intermediate
information used during execution of instructions by processor 220. ROM
240 may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static
storage device that stores static information and instructions for
processor 220. Memory 230 may also represent any storage device that may
include any type of media, such as, for example, magnetic or optical
recording media and its corresponding drive.

[0026] Input devices 260 may include one or more conventional mechanisms
that permit a user to input information to the electronic training jacket
generation unit 140, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, a voice
recognition device, etc. Output devices 270 may include one or more
conventional mechanisms that output information to the user, including a
display, a printer, one or more speakers, or a medium, such as a memory,
or a magnetic or optical disk and a corresponding disk drive.

[0027] Communication interface 280 may include any transceiver-like
mechanism that enables the electronic training jacket generation unit 140
to communicate via a network. For example, communication interface 280
may include a modem, or an Ethernet interface for communicating via a
local area network (LAN). Alternatively, communication interface 280 may
include other mechanisms for communicating with other devices and/or
systems via wired, wireless or optical connections. In some
implementations of the electronic training jacket generation unit 140,
communication interface 280 may not be included in the exemplary
electronic training jacket generation unit 140 when the content
management process is implemented completely within the electronic
training jacket generation unit 140.

[0028] The local qualification database 150 is discussed above and may be
stored in the memory 230 or other storage medium, for example.

[0029] The electronic training jacket generation unit 140 may perform such
functions in response to processor 220 by executing sequences of
instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as, for
example, memory 230, a magnetic disk, or an optical disk. Such
instructions may be read into memory 230 from another computer-readable
medium, such as a storage device, or from a separate device via
communication interface 280.

[0030] The electronic training jacket generation environment 100 and the
electronic training jacket generation unit 140 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2 and the related discussion are intended to provide a brief, general
description of a suitable computing environment in which the disclosure
may be implemented. Although not required, the disclosure will be
described, at least in part, in the general context of
computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed
by the electronic training jacket generation unit 140, such as a general
purpose computer. Generally, program modules include routine programs,
objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks
or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in
the art will appreciate that other embodiments of the disclosure may be
practiced in network computing environments with many types of computer
system configurations, including personal computers, hand-held devices,
multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the
like.

[0031] Embodiments may also be practiced in distributed computing
environments where tasks are performed by local and remote processing
devices that are linked (either by hardwired links, wireless links, or by
a combination thereof) through a communications network. In a distributed
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.

[0032] For illustrative purposes, the operation of the electronic training
jacket generator 250 and the electronic training jacket generation
process will be described below in relation to the block diagrams shown
in FIGS. 1-2.

[0033]FIG. 3 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating one possible
electronic training jacket generation process in accordance with one
possible embodiment of the disclosure. The process may begin at step 3100
and may continue to step 3200 where the electronic training jacket
generator 250 may receive a request from a user to generate an electronic
training jacket for an individual. At step 3300, the electronic training
jacket generator 250 may retrieve qualification information for the
individual from at least one of one or more remote qualification
databases 130 through the communication interface 280 and one or more
local qualification databases 150 stored in the memory 230. At step 3400,
the electronic training jacket generator 250 may generate the electronic
training jacket from the retrieved qualification information. At step
3500, the electronic training jacket generator 250 may automatically
output the generated electronic training jacket to the user using an
output device 270. The output device 270 may be a printer, an electronic
display, etc., and the electronic training jacket may be printed,
electronically displayed, conversion to PDF, e-mailed or electronically
transmitted to authorized individuals, etc. The electronic training
jacket generator 250 may also store the electronic training jacket in the
memory 230. The process may then go to step 3600 and end.

[0034] The electronic training jacket generator 250 may retrieve one or
more qualifications requirements, compare the retrieved qualification
requirements to the retrieved qualification information for the
individual, identify any deficiency between the retrieved qualification
requirements and the retrieved qualification information for the
individual, and output any identified deficiency to the user. This output
may be in the form of individual deficiency reports for each deficiency,
a combined report with multiple deficiencies, or group reports that list
deficiencies for units, etc., for example. The reports may be printed,
electronically displayed, converted to PDF, e-mailed or electronically
transmitted to authorized individuals, etc., for example. In addition, if
the electronic training jacket generator 250 identifies no deficiency in
the individual's qualifications, the electronic training jacket generator
250 may indicate to the user that the individual has met the retrieved
qualification requirements.

[0035] The electronic training jacket generator 250 may also send a
request to schedule training for the individual based on an identified
deficiency through the communication interface 280. The electronic
training jacket generator 250 may receive a request to archive an
electronic training jacket. In this manner, the electronic training
jacket generator 250 may retrieve the electronic training jacket from the
memory 230, and send the electronic training jacket to an archive
facility through the communication interface 280. The electronic training
jacket generator 250 may also automatically update the individual's
electronic training jacket on a periodic basis.

[0036]FIG. 4 shows an example of how an electronic training jacket 400
may appears to a user on an output device 270, such as a display. The
electronic training jacket 400 may have several sections that may be
tabbed, tabled, or listed and may include medical qualifications 410,
education 420, job training qualifications 430, miscellaneous
qualifications 440, and awards and achievements 450. Many other
qualification information categories may exist and the electronic
training jacket 400 may be customized to meet any job field where
qualifications must be met and tracked.

[0037] Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosed embodiments
may also include computer-readable media for carrying or having
computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such
computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed
by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or
other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to
carry or store desired program code means in the form of
computer-executable instructions or data structures. When information is
transferred or provided over a network or another communications
connection (either hardwired, wireless, or combination thereof) to a
computer, the computer properly views the connection as a
computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be
included within the scope of the computer-readable media.

[0038] Computer-executable instructions include, for example, instructions
and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or special purpose processing device to perform a certain
function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructions also
include program modules that are executed by computers in stand-alone or
network environments. Generally, program modules include routines,
programs, objects, components, and data structures, etc. that perform
particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program
modules represent examples of the program code means for executing steps
of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such
executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples
of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such
steps.

[0039] Although the above description may contain specific details, they
should not be construed as limiting the claims in any way. Other
configurations are part of the scope of the disclosed embodiments. For
example, the principles of the disclosed embodiments may be applied to
each individual user where each user may individually deploy such a
system. This enables each user to utilize the benefits of the disclosed
embodiments even if any one of the large number of possible applications
do not need the functionality described herein. In other words, there may
be multiple instances of the disclosed system each processing the content
in various possible ways. It does not necessarily need to be one system
used by all end users. Accordingly, the appended claims and their legal
equivalents should only define the disclosed embodiments, rather than any
specific examples given.

Patent applications by ARINC INCORPORATED

Patent applications in class Response of plural examinees communicated to monitor or recorder by electrical signals

Patent applications in all subclasses Response of plural examinees communicated to monitor or recorder by electrical signals